Corruption allegations against Vitthal Radadia by another group of BJP

Rajkot, 19 November 2013

Amid allegations and counter allegations on alleged corruption in construction of new marketing yard near Bedi village on Morbi road of Rajkot district, the Chairman of the marketing yard has invited Chief Minister Narendra Modi for inauguration in the month of December.

The new marketing yard is being constructed at a cost of Rs. 272 crore on Morbi road near Bedi village. It is likely to be opened by 20 December this year. According to yard chairman Hardevsinh Jadeja, Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi is going to be invited for the inauguration of the new market yard.

The state government had given 37.36 ha land on token rate to construct new yard in year 2004. As construction couldn’t start in prescribed time limit, the state government collected Rs. 2.85 crore penalty, and later asked to return the land. At one time it was necessary to start the yard construction, but there was only Rs. 11 crore fund. Finally, the online tender process was started. Now the construction work is nearly completed.

The controversy ahead of the opening is about alleged corruption in construction work. One of the board directors Vijay Sakhia had made allegations about corruption in construction of new yard whose Chairman is Hardevsinh Jadeja. Sakhia alleged corruption of crores of Rupees in construction of new markt yard and vowed to expose the scam. He said Harevsinh should first give draft copy of tender prepared by architect Kamlesh Parekh.

Hardevsinh Jadeja group had in counter protest alleged that Vitthal Radadia was master mind behind Sakhia’s allegations.

In counter protest Sakhia said Lalji Savalia was the mastermind behind allegations against Radadia. By bringing Radadia into this, Jadeja group attempted to divert the attention from corruption. With this Vitthal Radadia, Vijay Sakhia, Dahyabhai Pipalia, Arvind Tala and Chhagan Gadhia have announced to resign. Their term was anyway to end on 31st December.

Vitthal Radadia and four other board of directors have announced to contest the election again in December and give reply to allegations against them.

To counter the allegations of Radadia, the Hardevsinh Jadeja group gave figures of tender amount when Radadia was Chairman he resigned because his tender for new yard was disapproved. If his tender was approved, the yard project cost could reach as high Rs. 315 crore.

Jadeja alleged that Radadia takes Rs. 20 lakh for one recruitment in Rajkot district cooperative bank.

Jadeja said five directors who announced to resign never attend board meeting. It makes no difference if they resign.

Replying to Sakhia’s allegations over tender size, Jadeja said, “New yard tender was worth Rs. 146 crore. By considering 49% on, the figure would come to Rs. 218 crore. Our estimate was Rs. 158 crore. Tender figure reached Rs. 181 crore. The tender prepared during Vitthalbhai’s time had no provision of tax, gutter, fire, safety, electricity etc. Vitthalbhai’s tender had 2008/2009 SOR, our tender has 2011/2012 SOR therefore there’s difference in price money.”

Jadeja alleged corruption in auction of market yard shops during Vitthal Radadia’s time. He said the prescribed rules were violated in recruitment of peuons during Radadia’s time.

He said Vitthalbhai’s district panchayat governance was well-known. Non-Agricultural conversion rate was Rs. 50,000 per acre. Vitthalbhai has joined the BJP to compromise the probe against you under section 86 in district bank.

Hardevsinh Jadeja was joined by board of director Parshottam Savalia, Nitin Dhankecha, Dinesh Parsana, Jayendrasinh Jadeja, Pravin Andani, Suresh Chandarana, Narendra Popat etc in a press release.

In response to this, Radadia said that making an announcement to name new marketing yard after Sardar Patel is not justified at this time when allegations of corruptions are made against the yard chairman and others.

Both Jadeja and Radadia belong to BJP. Radadia believes that one group in BJP is not able to digest his entry into the party. Radadia said he doesn’t regret his decision to join the BJP, as his son has been made minister recently.